Frances became TUC Deputy General Secretary in January 2003, the first woman ever to hold this post.  Frances has lead responsibility for a wide range of key areas of policy development across the TUC's work including trade union recruitment and organisation, inter-union relations and TUC services to members. Frances served on the National Council of the Learning and Skills Council for six years, and chaired its Adult Learning Committee for two years.  From March 2006, she was Co-Chair of the Public Services Forum Learning and Skills Task Group, which reported in March 2009. She is currently a member of the Skills Funding Agency Advisory Group. She served on the Commission on Environmental Markets and Economic Performance in 2007, and has played a leading part in the development of TUC energy and climate change policy.  Frances was appointed to the Low Pay Commission in April 2007 and sits on the Policy Advisory Council of the think tank, ippr.